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What Is E. Coli? (Escherichia Coli)
Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly
found in the gut of endotherms (warm blooded organisms).
Escherichia coli commonly abbreviated E. coli) is a Gram-negative, rod-
shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-
blooded organisms (endotherms). Most E. coli strains are harmless, but
some serotypes can cause serious food poisoning in humans, and are
occasionally responsible for product recalls due to food contamination.
The harmless strains are part of the normal flora of the gut, and can
benefit their hosts by producing vitamin K2, and by preventing the
establishment of pathogenic bacteria within the intestine.
Name of E. Coli (Escherichia Coli)
German pediatrician and bacteriologist, Theodor Escherich discovered the
bacterium in 1885, hence its name. E. coli is now classified as part of the
Enterobacteriaceae family of gamma-proteobacteria.
A healthy adult will usually make a full recovery from E. coli O157:H7
infection within 5 to 7 days. However, young children, elderly individuals
and patients with weakened immune systems can develop potentially fatal
HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome), a type of kidney failure.
• Several types of E. coli exist as part of the normal flora of the human
gut and have many beneficial functions, such as the production of
vitamin K2. They also prevent harmful bacteria, known as
pathogenic bacteria, from establishing themselves in the intestine.
• Most E. coli strains pose no harm to human health, except for
serotype O157:H7, which can cause food poisoning in humans and
can become life-threatening.
According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, Escherichia coli is:
"A species that occurs normally in the intestines of humans and other
vertebrates, is widely distributed in nature, and is a frequent cause of
infections of the urogenital tract and of neonatal meningitis and diarrhea in
infants; enteropathogenic strains (serovars) of Escherichia coli cause
diarrhea due to enterotoxin, the production of which seems to be
associated with a transferable episome; the type species of the genus."

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Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection
The patient will typically experience symptoms within three to four days
after being exposed to the bacteria, however, in some cases they may
appear within a day or a week later.
The individual may experience:
1. Abdominal pain - typically, the first symptom is severe abdominal
cramping that comes on suddenly.
2. Diarrhea - a few hours after the sudden abdominal pain, the patient
typically has watery diarrhea. A day later there may be bright red
bloody stools, caused by sores in the intestines.
3. Nausea
4. Vomiting - note that many patients who become ill may not vomit
5. Fever - note that many infected people may not have a fever
6. Fatigue - diarrhea causes loss of fluids and electrolytes
(dehydration), making the patient feel sick and tired
. What are the causes of E. coli O157:H7 infection?
Most strains of E. coli are harmless. However, one group, including
0157:H7, produces a potent toxin - Shiga toxin - that is harmful for the
lining of the small intestine.
Humans can become infected by:
1. Ingesting contaminated water - even though tap water contains
chlorine and has undergone ozone or ultraviolet treatment, some E.
coli outbreaks have been caused by contaminated municipal water
supplies. Private wells can be a source of infection, as can some
lakes and swimming pools.
2. Ingesting contaminated food - examples include ground beef,
unpasteurized milk, or fresh vegetables. Infected people who work
in restaurants and do not wash their hands properly after going to
the toilet can spread the infection to customers and other members
of staff.
3. Having physical contact with an infected person, known as person-
to-person contact. Good hand hygiene is important in stemming the
spread of infection.
4. Contact with animals - this may not only occur in farms, but also in
petting zoos or country fairs.

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E. coli infection risk factors
A risk factor is something which raises the chances of developing a
condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of
developing type 2 diabetes. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for type 2
diabetes.
The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of problems with E.
coli infection:
1. Certain foods - consuming soft cheeses, raw milk, apple juice, cider,
and undercooked ground beef are linked to a higher risk of
becoming ill
2. Immunocompromised patients - those with weakened immune
systems, such as patients with AIDS, those taking
immunosuppressive medications, and people receiving
chemotherapy are susceptible to complications.
3. Stomach surgery - patients who have had the size of their stomach
surgically reduced have less stomach acid that kills off bacteria.
4. The person's age - very young children and elderly individuals have
a higher risk of developing serious illness and complications
E. coli infection complications
The vast majority of infected individuals make a full recovery within a
week. However, susceptible individuals (mentioned above) may develop
hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
1. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) - this condition is characterized
by hemolysis (breakup of red blood cells) and kidney failure.
Platelets, the red blood cells that are responsible for blood clotting,
clump together within the small blood vessels of the kidneys,
resulting in reduced blood flow (ischemia) and eventually leading to
kidney failure. Decreased platelets also increase the risk of bleeding
problems.
2. The patient can develop CNS (central nervous system) problems,
including seizures, and can also go into a coma.
3. Kidney failure among infants and young children is usually caused
by HUS.

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Patients start off with E. coli infection symptoms
1. severe abdominal cramps,
2. diarrhea which eventually becomes bloody,
3. and nausea and vomiting (sometimes).
4. While the majority of patients make a full recovery within a week to
10 days, approximately 6% go on to develop HUS.
5. The majority are young children and elderly individuals. Between 3%
to 5% of patients with HUS die, according to the National Institutes
of Health, USA.
How is E. coli infection diagnosed?
The doctor identifies the signs, asks the patients about symptoms, and
sends a stool sample to a lab for analysis.
What are the treatment options for E. coli infection?
1. No current treatments can cure E. coli O157:H7, it has to run its
course.
2. Most doctors advise patients to get plenty of rest and drink lots of
water to prevent dehydration.
3. The patient should avoid taking OTC medications for diarrhea, as all
this will do is slow down the digestive system, undermining the
body's ability to eliminate the toxins fast enough.
Prevention
• Cook meat well - especially ground meat.
• Drinks - pasteurized milk, apple juice or cider are safer than
unpasteurized.
• Wash vegetables - especially leafy green ones. Washing thoroughly
might not protect you completely, but it helps.
• Wash cutlery and crockery - make sure knives, forks, plates and
serving dishes are thoroughly washed with warm, soapy water.
• Store foods separately - use separate cutting boards, do not store
raw ground beef right next to other foods.
• Hand hygiene - wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and
soap after going to the toilet, before preparing foods, after preparing
foods, and after touching animals. Wash your hands regularly.
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